In response to recent letters, I would like to put right any confusion about the heritage regeneration of North Street in Keighley, reinforce the Council’s commitment towards our heritage and give an update on the project.

Bradford Council received £2 million from the Heritage Lottery fund to undertake the regeneration of this area of Keighley, and then added a further £700,000 from its own resources.

There was a slow start to the project, mostly due to the time it took to convince the owners of the shops and properties in North Street of the economic benefits, especially as they are required to top up any grant they receive.

The project has seen some improvements to the historic buildings and help to local businesses. The arcade has been restored and 13 apartments created, and that building is now full of life, with a new cafe opening in one of the previously empty shops.

A local accountancy firm has been helped to expand into restored premises, and work on the volunteer centre is underway, including reinstating two traditional shop fronts.

In July 2013, Church Street paving was renewed and brought up to standard, and a similar scheme will start on North Street in April.

Up to date, just short of £1 million has been spent and a further £800,000 committed to projects due to start soon, the restoration of the building currently housing the Jeans Junction being one. I think it unfair to compare Keighley to Glasgow, as one correspondent did. The scale and type of architecture are very different. We remain committed to valuing and preserving our heritage whilst ensuring Keighley continues to have a thriving town centre, with a mixture of the new and old, thereby providing an improved economy and more jobs.

The regeneration and celebration of North Street remains a key part of this. We are on track to spend the lottery funding by the agreed date of 2015, and I believe the benefits to the town are already starting to show.

Councillor Val Slater